Representing the 2nd District of Alabama

Roby Votes to Support Law Enforcement During Police Week

May 17, 2017

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, today released a statement on House passage of three bills honoring our nation's law enforcement. Roby was proud to support these bills to strengthen tools for law enforcement and prioritize military veterans in law enforcement careers as Congress recognizes National Police Week.

“We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep this country and our communities safe,” Roby said. “In honor of National Police Week, I am proud that the House is taking action to support law enforcement officers and their families. Congress must always ensure our law enforcement agencies have the proper tools and resources to get the job done, and I’m honored to play an increased role in this important work by serving on the Judiciary Committee."

The House today passed the following bills:

H.R. 510, the Rapid DNA Act of 2017, directs the FBI to issue standards and procedures for the use of certain automated processes to analyze DNA samples;

H.R. 1428, the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2017, incentivizes state and local government to hire American veterans and new law enforcement officers. Specifically, the bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize COPS Hiring program grantees to use grant funds to hire veterans as career law enforcement officers;

H.R. 1616, the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017, authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute, which is located in Hoover, Alabama. This center is operated by the U.S. Secret Service and trains state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges from all over the nation in handling digital evidence. It has trained more than 6,250 local officials from all 50 states and three U.S. Territories.

Later this week the House is expected to consider H.R. 115, the Thin Blue Line Act, H.R. 1892, the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, and H.R. 1039, the Probation Officer Protection Act of 2017. H.R. 115 amends the federal criminal code to include the killing or attempted killing of a local or state law enforcement officer or first responder as an aggravating factor in Federal death penalty determinations. H.R. 1892 authorizes the governors of a state or territory to proclaim that the United States flag shall be flown at half-staff in the event that a public safety officer dies while serving in the line of duty. H.R. 1039 authorizes a probation officer to arrest a person, without warrant, if there is probable cause to believe the person forcibly assaulted or obstructed a probation officer while performing their official duties.